ABSTRACT
Background. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly impacted cancer patients with some reported mortality as high as 25%. The Immunodeficiency Scoring Index (ISI) was developed as a prognostic tool in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (allo-HCT) recipients with respiratory syncytial virus but also for other respiratory viruses to predict severe infections and mortality. The purpose of our study was to correlate the ISI in HCT recipients with COVID-19 and associated complications such as hospitalization, supplemental oxygen use, and mortality. Methods. We performed a cohort study of HCT recipients of all ages with COVID-19 between March 2020 and October 2021. We included only patients who were diagnosed by a PCR-based assay. We excluded patients for whom an ISI score, as previously described, could not be calculated. Outcomes of interest included 60-day mortality, hospital and ICU admission due to COVID-19, and supplemental oxygen requirements. A univariate analysis using Fischer exact testing for nominal variables was performed. Results. Out of the 219 HCT with COVID-19, 101 were excluded due to alternative methods of diagnosis (13), lack of laboratory values needed to calculate an ISI at time of COVID-19 diagnosis (79), or COVID-19 diagnosed prior to transplant (9). Out of the remaining 118 patients, the median age was 60 years (range 6-85), most were male (56%), Caucasian (57%), and had no smoking history (64%). Most patients had an alloHCT (66%) with matched related donor [MRD] (25%), or matched unrelated donor [MUD] (21%) (Table 1). Median time from transplant to COVID-19 was 615 days (range 2-5692), median ISI was 3 (range 0-11), and 92% of patients were unvaccinated prior to COVID-19 (Table 1). On univariate analysis, an ISI of moderate to high (score >=3) was associated with COVID-19 related hospitalization [p=0.0147] and an ISI >= 4 was associated with 60-day all-cause (p=0.045) and COVID-19-related (p-0.019) mortality (Table 2). Conclusion. An ISI of 4 or greater was a prognostic marker for worse outcomes such as COVID-related and all-cause mortality in HCT recipients. Whether an aggressive and prompt management of high-risk patients with COVID-19 may impact these outcomes needs to be determined in future studies. (Table Presented).
ABSTRACT
Background. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant was first identified in November 2021 in South Africa and was notable for its increased transmissibility and rapid spread world wide. In the United States, this variant led to a surge inCOVID-19 cases by December 2021. As a result, we experienced a steep rise in cases among patients and employees at our institution starting December 22nd, 2021. Therefore, we compared the incidence and characteristics of hospital-onset COVID-19 (HO-COVID-19) in our cancer patients prior to and during the surge of the Omicron variant. Methods. We identified HO-COVID-19, as per the CDC definition, from our infection control surveillance database, and additional contact tracing information was reviewed to determine the possible sources of HO-COVID-19. Whole-genome sequencing studies were conducted randomly on nasopharyngeal swabs of patients and employees who had COVID-19 during the study period. Results. Twenty-six HO-COVID-19 infections were identified from the beginning of the pandemic (February 2020) through February 2022 (Table 1). Only 17 cases occurred over 22 months from the beginning of the pandemic through early December 2021 (Figure 1). These HO-COVID-19 occurred during the 3 COVID-19 surges that were epidemiologically attributed to the variants seen prior to Omicron. Among these 17 patients, 12 (70%) were symptomatic, 9 (53%) had a link to an infected employee, 7 (41%) died during their hospitalization (3 of the deaths were attributable to COVID-19), and 10 (59%) recovered and were discharged. Over 6 weeks (from December 22nd, 2021, through February 1st, 2022), 9 HO-COVID-19 were discovered during the Omicron variant surge (Figure 1). Six (67%) of these patients were symptomatic, 8 (89%) had a link to an infected employee, 2 (22%) died (1 death was attributed to COVID-19 ), and 7 (78%) recovered and were discharged. Conclusion. The Omicron variant surge led to marked increases in HO-COVID-19 despite the continuous adoption of enhanced infection control practices, testing on admission, and daily symptoms screening of patients and employees.
ABSTRACT
Background. Robust infection control (IC) measures were deployed across healthcare institutions at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE), enhanced contact precautions, and emphasis on hand hygiene. The impact of these IC measures on the rates of hospitalacquired infections (HAIs), such as multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), device-related infections (DRIs), Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), and respiratory viral infections (RVIs) is not known. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of the enhanced IC practices on the occurrence of various HAIs in a comprehensive cancer center. Methods. We analyzed the monthly HAIs rates from September 2017 through March 2022, including data 42 months pre-pandemic (September 2016-February 2020) and 24 months during the pandemic (March 2020-August 2021). Reported HAIs were calculated using denominators of patient days for CDI and MDROs, per 1,000 admissions for RVIs, and catheter days for DRIs. The incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated for all HAIs. Results. When comparing pre-pandemic to the pandemic period, a significant increase in the overall incidence rate (IR) of MDROs from 0.56 to 0.67 per 1,000 patient days with an IRR of 1.19 (95% CI 1.02-1.39), a decrease in the IR of CLABSIs and a stable IR of CAUTIs and VAEs were observed (Table 1). A significant decrease was observed in the IR of CDI (IRR 0.65 (95% CI 0.55-0.78)). The total IR of hospital-acquired RVIs per 1,000 admissions (5.24 to 1.82;IRR 0.36;95% CI 0.30-0.44) decreased, as did each respiratory virus (Respiratory Syncytial Virus (0.51 to 0.15;IRR 0.30), Influenza (0.50 to 0.24;IRR 0.50), Parainfluenza (1.21- to 0.34;IRR 0.28), Rhinovirus (1.91 to 0.5;IRR 0.26), and Human Metapneumovirus (0.19 to 0.05;IRR 0.24) during their respective respiratory viral seasons (Figure 1). (Table Presented) Conclusion. Implementing strict IC measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in a cancer hospital led to a significant decrease in many HAIs and a reduction in nosocomial RVIs. However, whether these enhanced measures, such as masking at all times as part of patient care, are needed during the upcoming respiratory viral seasons is not known.
ABSTRACT
Background. Patients with COVID-19 and underlying malignancies, particularly those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. Our retrospective cohort study examines the outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patients with different underlying malignancies admitted to a 710- beds comprehensive cancer center during the first 2 years of the pandemic. Methods. All patients with cancer admitted to MD Anderson Cancer Center with a positive PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 were included in a clinical case registry from 3/22/20 (first hospitalized COVID-19 patient) to 3/31/22. This clinical registry was approved at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Quality Improvement Assessment Board at MDACC. Clinical information including type of malignancy, date of admission, length of stay, need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and in-hospital mortality was obtained from their electronic medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-proportion z-test where p< 0.05 was considered significant. Results. A total of 1748 patients with cancer and COVID-19 infection were admitted over a 2-year period (3.2% of total hospital admissions during the same period), 49% had hematological malignancies (HM) (see table). Patients with HM had significantly higher readmission rates (17.3% vs 9.1%, p< 0.0001), IMV rates (7.8% vs 4.4%, p=0.0029), and inpatient mortality rates (13.6% vs 7.1%, p< 0.0001). compared to patients with solid tumors (ST). Total mortality rate was 8.8% (154 patients), even higher in patients with different types of HM, such as lymphoma 18.1%, AML 14.2%, MM 8.4%, CML 7.1% while the mortality for ST was 7.1%. COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients at UT-MDACC (3/22/20-3/31/22) UT-MDACC: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center *p-value <0.01 for z-test of 2 proportions (one-tailed) Conclusion. HM patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection had more severe disease and worse outcomes based on readmissions, IMV, and mortality rates. Preventive measures, prompt diagnosis and early treatments should be considered on this patient population.
ABSTRACT
Background. Given the limited collaborative international studies that evaluated COVID-19 in patients with cancer in comparison to patients without cancer, we aimed to determine the independent risk factors associated with increased 30-day mortality and the impact of novel treatment modalities in a large group of cancer and non-cancer patients with COVID-19 from multiple countries. Methods. We retrospectively collected de-identified data on cancer and non-cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and November 2020, at 16 centers in Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. A logistic regression model was used to identify independent predictors of all-cause mortality within 30 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. Results. Of the total 4015 COVID-19 confirmed patients entered, we analyzed 3966 patients, 1115 cancer and 2851 non-cancer patients. Cancer patients were older than non-cancer patients (median age, 61 vs 50 years;p< 0.0001);more likely to be pancytopenic , had pulmonary disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus. In addition, they were more likely to present with higher inflammatory biomarkers (D-dimer, ferritin and procalcitonin), but were less likely to present with clinical symptoms. By multivariable logistic regression analysis, cancer was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (OR 1.46;95% CI 1.03 to 2.07;p=0.035). Older age (≥65 years) was the strongest predictor of 30-day mortality in all patients (OR 4.55;95% CI 3.34 to 6.20;p< 0.0001). Remdesivir was the only therapeutic agent independently associated with decreased 30-day mortality (OR 0.58;CI 0.39-0.88;p=0.009). Among patients on lowflow oxygen at admission, patients who received remdesivir had a lower 30-day mortality rate than those who were on high flow oxygen (5.9% vs 17.6%;p=0.03). Patients transfused with convalescent plasma within 1 day of diagnosis had a lower 30-day mortality rate than those transfused later (1% vs 7%, p=0.04). Conclusion. Cancer is an independent risk factor for increased 30-day all-cause mortality from COVID-19. Remdesivir, particularly in patients receiving low-flow oxygen, can reduce 30-day all-cause mortality, as well as convalescent plasma given early after COVID-19 diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
Background: Our objective was to describe the clinical course, risk factors and outcomes of patients infected with COVID-19 around the globe comparing cancer to non-cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of COVID-19 confirmed cases through an international multicenter collaboration including 17 centers around the world including the United States of America, Brazil, Europe, Far East, Middle East and Australia from January to date. We evaluated the patients' clinical characteristics, clinical course of the disease, hospitalization and outcome. Death was considered to be COVID-associated if it occurred within 30 days from the time of diagnosis. Results: Preliminary data on 571 patients included 186 cancer patients and 385 non-cancer patients. Cancer patients were more likely to have COPD and received steroids but were less likely to have COVID-related symptoms compared to non-cancer patients (84% vs 97%, p< 0.0001). The rate of pneumonia with hypoxia, non-invasive ventilation and mechanical ventilation were similar in both groups. Despite the fact that hospital admissions were significantly higher in non-cancer patients (70% vs 56%, p< 0.001), promising antiviral and immune-related therapy including remdesivir, convalescent plasma and immunomodulators were more commonly used in cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients (P=0.04). Cancer patients had a higher COVIDassociated mortality rate compared to non-cancer patients (20% vs 11%, p=0.006). Conclusion: Despite the fact that cancer patients received more frequent antiviral and immune-related therapy, the mortality rate among cancer patients was significantly higher than non-cancer patients.